Washington again speaks against partition

Another U.S. State Department official has expressed his "disappointment" over the recent deadly unrest in Kosovo. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Volker also said that his country is "seriously opposed" to a partitioning of the province. Washington again speaks against partition Volker told the National Press Club in Washington that President George W. Bush's administration supports "transfer of jurisdiction" from the UN Kosovo mission, UNMIK, to a future EU mission, EULEX. He also emphasized the United States will "take part and support this Brussels' undertaking". Belgrade, and UN Security Council permanent member Russia, are contesting the legality of EULEX. The mission has not received an invitation from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a condition set by the valid Resolution 1244, the document regulating any international presence in Kosovo. "The transfer of jurisdiction is ongoing… I expect that we will discuss the coordination and transition at the next NATO summit, stressing our commitment to the EU and NATO cooperation in Kosovo," Volker explained. With this coordinated transfer to EULEX, NATO is ready to secure stability, "Kosovo institutions and freedom of movement". The summit in Bucharest will bring "special conclusions on this", the diplomat added. Volker, a former CIA analyst and a former adviser to Sen. John McCain, said that Washington is opposed to Kosovo's partition because it would bring "more instability and a possible new wave of violence".

Washington again speaks against partition

Volker told the National Press Club in Washington that President George W. Bush's administration supports "transfer of jurisdiction" from the UN Kosovo mission, UNMIK, to a future EU mission, EULEX.

He also emphasized the United States will "take part and support this Brussels' undertaking".

Belgrade, and UN Security Council permanent member Russia, are contesting the legality of EULEX. The mission has not received an invitation from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a condition set by the valid Resolution 1244, the document regulating any international presence in Kosovo.

"The transfer of jurisdiction is ongoing… I expect that we will discuss the coordination and transition at the next NATO summit, stressing our commitment to the EU and NATO cooperation in Kosovo," Volker explained.

With this coordinated transfer to EULEX, NATO is ready to secure stability, "Kosovo institutions and freedom of movement". The summit in Bucharest will bring "special conclusions on this", the diplomat added.

Volker, a former CIA analyst and a former adviser to Sen. John McCain, said that Washington is opposed to Kosovo's partition because it would bring "more instability and a possible new wave of violence".